(Betting Express) - Denver point guard Chauncey Billups will make his return to Auburn Hills this evening when the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons at The Palace.

Billups was dealt to the Nuggets in November in a deal that landed future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson in Detroit. A longtime fan favorite of the Pistons, Billups has been a big reason why the Nuggets are third in the Western Conference standings.

The Nuggets have staggered a bit, losing four of their last six games, including a 100-94 loss against Indiana on Sunday in the opener of a quick two-game road trip at Conseco Fieldhouse. Billups paced Denver with 27 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Carmelo Anthony added 20 points and eight boards in a losing effort.

Nene finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who are 17-14 away from the Rocky Mountains this season. Denver has dropped its last three road games.

The Nuggets will have to win tonight without the services of Anthony, who was suspended for one game by the team following an undisclosed in-game transgression against Indiana.

"There is a code of conduct that we take very seriously, especially from a leader and co-captain," said Nuggets vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman. "Carmelo knows this and regrets what happened. He is a very competitive person and made a poor decision in the heat of the moment."

Detroit, currently the sixth seed in the East, has won two in a row since a season-high eight-game losing streak and will kick off a two-game homestand Tuesday versus Denver and Golden State. The Pistons, who own a 14-15 mark at home this season, are coming off Sunday's 105-95 victory at Boston in which Richard Hamilton posted 25 points and nine assists to lead the way.

Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace ended with 15 points apiece for Detroit, which has won two straight without the services of All-Star Iverson (back). Iverson is expected to miss Tuesday's game and the Pistons are 22-28 with him in the starting lineup.

The Pistons handed the Nuggets a 93-90 loss on January 9 this season at the Pepsi Center and have won five straight, seven of eight and 20 of the last 24 meetings.

Denver has dropped 12 in a row and 17 of its last 19 at The Palace.